28 To Trust

"How old were you again?" I asked without concealing the suspicion in my voice.

Merilin could help but pout after hearing my words since even idiot could see my disapproval...

Oh, stop being a drama queen...!

"Seven." She said sadly. I guess this is the first time I've seen her frown and not praising my intellect.

"You've not even at the Age of Nurturing but you still gained the rights to attend the Mage Academy? Do you even know what kind of place trains 'Mages'?" I said with a tone laced with disapproval.

Although 'Academy' is a name usually given to a place of learning. There are too many forces gathered there for it to be 'peaceful'. Why else would Mage Academies had such high death rates?

As a place where children of various powers of different social statuses and origins are gathered together to 'learn magic', how would a small girl like Merilin survive there? I knew her personality well enough to figure out that her going there is definitely a bad idea... Why aren't Mother and Father doing anything? They should be stopping her!

The lowest age requirement for entering the any one of Drakeyol Kingdom's Mage Academy had always strictly been the Age of Nurturing... How in the world did Merilin get accepted at such a young age?

I have to stop her no matter what!

"Mom was saying that they're taking me early because I'm a genius. Big Brother just doesn't understand." She smiled innocently in response. Her words caused me to feel paranoid again. Could it be that mother is also being controlled by that cowardly manipulator stealthily hiding in the shadows?

I really had a bad feeling about her careless reply... I could tell that she wasn't understanding what was going on or what I was going through just by looking at her ignorant-looking face. Why are you so optimistic? What do you even know about Mages?

Don't you know the kind of torturous training they go through to master the arts of magic? How they'll do anything to rise above their peers? I might be thinking of everything too negatively after what just happened to me but that didn't mean I was deliberately making things up to keep her close.

I have no other choice... I'll have to ask Mother after I'm finished. Maybe I can attain a more thorough understanding of what talents everyone sees within her after having a good discussion. If Mother is also being controlled, then I need to be careful not to alert that manipulator about my plans...

"Did you already learn the basics of Spell Circles?" I asked with a 'curious' expression on my face.

As I was enquiring about knowledge about magic Spell Circles, my mind was formulating different theories as to why my little sister was being taken to the Mage Academy. There were a lot of conjectures in my head that were being rejected one by one until I could find the best answer I was looking for...

"I've learnt all the basics! I'm sorry I didn't tell you anything. Mom had already taught me the basics of drawing them a few days ago." She bashfully responded, but my eyes were still narrowed all the same. Some of the dots started to connect in my head as I remembered how Mother personally taught Merilin about magic not too long ago...

She learnt everything just from a few lessons...?

"Forget it. I'm the one who figured you knew nothing in regards to Magic, so a misunderstanding was only natural." It was only now did I remember that Mage Academy students didn't need someone to teach them the basics of Spell Circles. There wouldn't be a point in going there if she didn't know this at least.

Perhaps there's a special class split from the rest of the chaotic students from different paths of life or maybe she misunderstood Mother's words...

Those are the only reasons I thought of after disposing the illogical ones...

It wasn't like I looked down on her or anything... It was just that she really WAS far too young to grasp all of these complex basics. I wouldn't have guessed that my sister would be able to understand such an intricate subject without first seeing her in action!

However, that isn't enough to be regarded as a genius. Understanding Spell Circles to this degree is something everyone her age is might be able to do if they tried. I could only think of one ridiculous conjecture that can explain why a seven year old would be able to skip year and become a student.

"Can you draw Spell Circles?" My voice trembled as I thought of an impossible conjecture.

How could a seven year old little girl have enough Mana Control to draw Spell Circles? It's not like she's the reincarnation of an Archmage, even grandmother didn't have such talent!

"I can." She nodded vigorously.

What!!!? I felt a bomb had exploded in my mind at this moment. What kind of monster is she?!

"You... Can you really draw them?" My mouth was agape as I couldn't even find the words to express my complete and utter shock! However, I was also happy~ Why wouldn't I be happy when hearing my sister was a genius? I'm just scared if others would try to harm her before she matured her power...

Those who could draw Spell Circles are usually unable to instantly increase their combat capabilities since they were unlike Skill Holders. Mages had to study and train before they could fight.

"I can." She repeated with a smug face.

"Which ones?" I don't know what face I'm making right now but I'm sure that it's no longer as expressionless as it usually is... How could I stay calm after learning of her incredible talent?

"I can draw Ether Gatherers and Lightning Gatherers." She exclaimed proudly. I remember what Ether Gatherers were: They were those basic Spell Arrangements needed for Passive Formations for casting high-level Spells. These were normally always active, but what are those so-called 'Lightning Gatherers' she spoke of? Does she mean Lightning Ether Gatherers or something different?

"The Magical Formation called 'Lightning Gatherers' are a new Spell Circle I've made myself. Look!" After answering the question in my eyes, she lifted her hand and controlled the Water Ether within a canister which was strapped to her waist. Allowing it to form Spell Circle of her own Mana.

It was a strange Spell Circle that was unlike the ones I've seen before. One that was definitely of Water Attribute yet generated natural Blue Lightning instead of anything of the aquatic element. Lots of tiny icicle particles constantly collided with each other in harmony as electrical charge stored into the centre of her new Spell Circle.

"It's a good Spell Circle that converts natural lightning into electricity before storing it as special transformation of Light Mana within it.... Who taught you this this unique way of creating Spell Circles? I'm sure the only thing I taught were only Spells." I recovered from my surprise and asked.

The new transformation of Light Mana she created was like the Unique Kinetic Light Mana I formed when first creating my Combat Body Universal Art not too long ago. Since Light Mana has its own 'mimicking' qualities, there are endless possibilities for magic as long as one is imaginative enough.

Although it was well-known that Light Mana could contain special characteristics as long as the user was capable enough. I've never heard of a Spell Circle taking on characteristics or having intrinsic qualities other than from well-known Attributes...

"Brother, are you even listening? Like I just said: I made it myself!" And once again, a bomb blew in my mind as I heard her words! Even I wasn't able to grasp how to actually DRAW Spell Circles. Even with all the time in my hands, the only thing I could do was increase my understanding of them little by little and figure out how to alter them...

But Merilin? Not only has she grasped the basics creating Spell Circles, she is also able to draw her own! Her current achievement in Magic defies all logic and reason! Why hadn't I noticed this earlier?

I couldn't help but think if she was trying to trick me. Was this a prank?

Yet no matter how I looked at that naive smile of hers, I couldn't find any traces of falsehood. The only thing I could see was the excitement of a child who wished to be praised by her older brother.

"I guess I really have to meet Mother and ask her about your ridiculous comprehension and understanding regarding Spell Circles." I sighed before patting her head.

"You. Are. Extremely. Amazing!" I praised earnest efforts word by word. I may not normally praise others, but I always gave it where it's due. Though now I'm feel a sense of foreboding again after understanding her circumstances. Won't people try to steal information about this new Spell of hers?

Ha! Riiiight~ Like I'd let that happen!

Hah... In my past life, I wouldn't feel this unease just from talking to someone. Maybe it's due to how I really didn't give a damn about people other than my comrades in general. I had nothing back then...

Ten years is enough for anyone on Earth to change completely, and I'm no exception to this. The heartless person I once was has already washed away with the time I spent as a young boy on Sphera.

Now all that's left is man who just wants to protect what he already has.

I don't need my terrifying instincts to tell me that Merilin will be in danger in the future and that sticking around her could lead me to being in harms way. Its not hard to figure that out on my own...

I can already tell that the assassins who had infiltrated the Drakyol Kingdom will not let my genius sister grow. The same people that decimated Mark's family won't allow her live peacefully.

What should I do to protect her? The answer to that is simple: Grow strong enough to protect her no matter what storm comes spinning my way! Make connections and form a specialised group!

"Big Brother, you look kinda scary." A hint of fear arose within Merilin's heart as she saw the bloodlust within my eyes. Damn... It looks like I accidentally showed her one of my scarier sides.

"It's nothing." I quickly hid the sharp glint in my eyes and shook my head.

"Merilin." I spoke strongly, causing her to straighten her spine nervously.

"Yes?" She realised I wasn't acting like my usual self before she responded.

"Please remember what I'm about to say." I said while looking at her deeply.

"Okay..." She seemed affected by my mood and obediently lowered her head.

"In the future you may experience some tragedies you never deserved, and sometimes I won't be able to be there for you when it counts the most... so make sure you grow stronger. Don't become lazy and waste your time playing with those 'Friends' of yours. Put more effort into growing your combat capabilities, do you understand?" I 'advised' her without giving her any kind of space to argue.

"But... Why?" She asked in response.

"For happiness." My heart grew cloudy as I remembered the wars that took place in the modern era of Earth. Some thought society was actually very peaceful, but I knew clearly how savage the world was underneath such a facade. The true and sincere face of reality was uglier than the Devil himself.

As I completed missions with the rest of my squad, there were many times when I'd see poverty and injustice spreading in their barest forms.

Good? Evil? No one cares about such a thing on the battlefield. The only thing that is able to persuade those who lack morale integrity is the density of one's fist. That's the only thing that can be counted on when even your closest friends fall to gunfire.

The hungry won't get food if they just beg on the streets. The victims who never wanted part in a war won't be able to avenge their sorrows without breaking the laws that govern society.

"I don't want to." She shakes her head.

"Do you have a death wish? I know your already smart enough to understand the dangers that Enchanted Robe poses for you. Just your status alone is enough to make those of nobility approach you with ill-intentions!" My eyes sharpened while I scolded her seriously for the first time.

"I want to make friends." Her quivering voice resounded as she once again lowers her head, her shoulders were trembling after hearing my heartless words. Seeing her like this only made see her more as a little lamb waiting to be slaughtered by wolves.

"Mark, Anna, and we, your family, are the only people you need as friends. Anyone else could be an assassin or a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing. Stop being so careless and-"

"I already know how to make decisions myself!" She interrupted after her emotions were unable to be repressed any longer. She lifted her head and gazed back into my intimidating eyes.

"What do you know? You're just a kid who hasn't even walked out the mansion your whole life! How do YOU know how to judge those around you?"

"You haven't gone out either." As I heard her stern retort, I became more enraged. I hate it when she becomes stubborn... Just listen to me already! I'm thinking for what's best for your future!

"All I want you to do is focus more on your own personal strength instead of relying on others. I'm only trying to protect you... Stop being so selfish all the time. I know what's best!" I retorted in rage...!

A silence surrounded us as we both didn't continue arguing for a moment...

"Why don't you trust me?" She finally asked.

At those words... I didn't know how to answer. My mouth opened but I didn't know what to say in response. Not trust her? I do t- It was then that I suddenly came to a realisation: I'm not talking to another adult who has lived for dozens of years like myself, I'm talking to a fickle young girl who just wants to live her life to the fullest...!

She lifted her head and looked at me with a gaze I found unfathomable before leaving the room. I wanted to stop her, but a sharp pain in my heart stopped me from stepping forward. The forgotten memories of 'myself' arose in my mind.

I turned to look in the mirror near my drawer and saw a haggard old man stare at me back, one that seemed to have already lost his trust in the world around him. The air around him made him seem like an iron porcupine that tried its best to protect its heart. A coward who never truly opened up...

Hah... I really am stupid, aren't I?